Pump



Feb. 10,' 1942. G. T. PFLEGER PUMP Filed Aug. 26, 1938 4 Sheets-Sheet lenorge Pf/eger ATTO Q N EY INVENTOQ 4 `SII-nee'cs--Sheet 2 Feb. 10,1942. G. T. PFLEGER PUMP Filed Aug. 26, 1938 l NVE N TOR George TPf/eger BW /m/ ATT o R N EY w\\\ 7 Iii y Y 1li.' 3 H Q 121e. 3

Feb. 10, 1942. G. T. PFLEGER PUMP 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Aug. 26, 1938rv 1 P T/z/ Feb. 4l0, 1942. G. T. PFLEGER PUMP Filed Aug. 26, 1938 4Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR George 7.- Pfege" ATTO RNEY Patented Feb. 10,1942 PUMP George T. Pfleger, Los Angeles, Calif., assignor to U. S.Electrical Motors, Inc., Los Angeles, Calif., a corporation ofCalifornia Application August 26, 1938, Serial No. 226,921

(Cl. S-249) 3 Claims.

Mechanism of this general plunger type has inherent disadvantages. Theextreme length of the mechanical connections from the top of the well tothe pump militates against operation of the pump near to possiblemaximum elciency. Furthermore, the operation is subject to frequentbreakdowns, diiiicult to overcome promptly.

By the aid of the present invention, these disadvantages are overcome.There is no need of providing mechanically operated connections from asource of motion at the top of the Well. Accordingly, it is one of theobjects of this invention to make it possible to provide a pump thatobviates the necessity of being mechanically operated from the top ofthe well, and yet without requiring the provision of any source ofmechanical power additional to the pump itself.

This object is accomplished by utilizing pressures created by theexplosion of a gaseous or vaporous, or atomized fuel, for urging a bodyof the liquid to be raised past a check valve. It is therefore anotherobject of this invention to provide an explosion operating pump forcreating the pumping pressures.

The control of the cyclic supply of fuel, and of the cyclic times ofexplosion can be readily accomplished from any convenient locality atthe surface. The fuel lines and control elements (such as electriccircuit control conduits) can be led to the mechanism, without anysubstantial complications.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a pump of thischaracter which is capable of operating with a slow burning fuel, in amanner analagous to the operation of a Diesel engine. In this way,severe strains on the tubing and mechanism due to the explosive force ofa quick burning fuel meeting a stationary column of water ofconsiderable height, are avoided.

It is still another object of this invention to make it possible toutilize a plurality of pump mechanisms of this character, either tosecure a number of pumping stages, or to provide a more continuous ow ofliquid at the top of the well.

This invention possesses many other advantages, and has other objectswhich may be made more easily apparent from a consideration of severalembodiments of the invention. For this purpose there are shown a fewforms in the drawings accompanying and forming part of the presentspecification. These forms will now be described in detail, illustratingthe general principles of the invention; but it is to be understood thatthis detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, sincethe scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Referring now to the drawings:

Figure l is a longitudinal sectional view of a pump structureincorporating the invention, some of the parts being shortened in .orderto reduce the size of the ligure, together with the control system foroperating the pump;

Fig. 2 is a detail section on an enlarged scale of the head of thecombustion chamber;

Fig. 3 is a cross section as seen on plane 3-3 of Fig. 2; v

Fig. 4 is an elevational view of a pump structure similar to that ofFig. 1, lbut having a different type of valve operating mechanism;

Fig. 5 is a detail section on an enlarged scale, as seen on plane 5-5 ofFig. 4, showing the valve operating mechanism;

Figs. 6 and '7 are detail sections as seen on correspondingly numberedplanes of Fig. 8;

Figs. 8, 9, 10 and 11 are cross sections as seen on correspondinglynumbered planes of Fig. 5;

Fig. 12 is a diagram illustrating the manner in which several pumpstructures may be utilized in one installation;

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary section showing the modified valve arrangementwhen the pumps are arranged as in Fig. 12; and

Fig. 14 is a view similar to Fig. 1, but of a I modied form of theinvention.

In the present instance thereis shown a conduit having an upper portionI and a lower portion 2 through which the liquid is to be pumped lupwardly. The conduit portions I and 2 are intended to be placed insideof a well for the pumping of the well liquid, such as oil or water. Theupper portion I of the conduit is intended to extend upwardly to the topof the well and to deliver the liquid that is being pumped to anydesired locality. The lower portion 2 of the conduit is immersed belowthe level of the liquid, so that the liquid in the conduit normally hasa level considerably beyond the top of the portion 2.

By the aid of the present invention, gas pressure is provided directlyto urge the oil or liquid 3 upwardly into the upper portion I past acheck valve structure 4. For this purpose use is made of a branchconduit between the portions I and 2. This branch is shown in thepresent instance as formed by the aid of an elbow casting 5, havlng adownwardly extending portion 8 and an upwardly extending portion 1,connecting respectively to the lower part 2 of the conduit, and to theupper part I of the conduit.

The check valve structure 4 that prevents oil or liquid discharged intothe upper portion I from returning into the branch 5 or into the lower'portion 2, includes a sloping valve seat 8 formed in the upper portion 1of the elbow 5. This valve seat is arranged to accommodate a valveclosureA 9, urged as by a compression spring I against the seat 9, andthereby closing the lower end of the portion I. The valve closure 9 isshown in this instance as being carried by a stem II, guided formovement in the boss I2 of a spider I3 threaded against shoulder I4formed inside of the extension 1. The upper portion I of the conduit isshown as likewise threaded into this portion 1. The compression springIII is restrained at its upper end by the boss I2. In this way acompression force is exerted against the valve 9. The weight of theliquid in the upper portion I also serves to urge the valve closure 9 toits seat. However, when suillcient pressure is exerted below the valvestructure 4, the valve 9 is lifted to permit the entry of liquid intothe portion I. This valve structure 4, therefore, forms in effect acheck valve.

A similar valve structure I5 is provided at the top of the lower portion2 of the conduit and interposed between this lower portion 2 and theelbow 5. This valve structure I5 includes a body I6 threaded at itsupper and lower ends respectively to the elbow 5 and to the lowerportion 2. It includes the valve seat I1 with which cooperates a springpressed check valve closure I8. A spider I9, similar to spider I3,provides a guide for the valve stem 20.

The valve structure I5 permits liquid to flow past the valve upwardlyinto the elbow 5, but effectively prevents the return of the liquid intothe portion 2 of the conduit when pressure is exerted on the liquidwhich is accommodated in the branch connection between the two valves 4and I5.

The elbow 5 connects to an upright conduit member 2|, which forms aliquid chamber. This conduit 2| carries an upper extension 22 threadedto the conduit 2| and providing a tapered valve seat 23. Cooperatingwith this tapered valve seat 23 is a float valve closure 24 whichoperates to close when the level of the liquid in the branch 5--2Ireaches a predetermined height. The float valve 24 is therefore madeappropriately buoyant in the liquid to be pumped, as by providing ahollow stem 25 therefor, or by making the closure member 24 ofappropriate light weight material. The stem 25 is shown in this instanceas guided in a long central boss 29 formed in the spider 21 screwed intothe member 22.

As thus far described, it is seen that the valve structure I5 forms aninlet valve for the branch chamber, and that valve structure 4 forms anoutlet valve for this chamber. Normally liquid will rise to a sufficientheight to close the float valve structure 23-24.

Provisions are made for creating a gas pressure upon the surface of theliquid in chamber 2I at periodic times, so that the liquid therein willbe forced downwardly and out of the chamber through elbow 5. Further,this liquid will be forced by this pressure past the outlet valve 9 andupwardly in conduit I. It cannot be forced downwardly into conduit 2because of the oneway inlet valve I5.

For creating this pressure, the member 22 is connected to a fuel orcombustion chamber 28, which may be formed by a cylindrical conduit.This conduit carries, at its top, a cylinder head structure 29, clearlyshown in Figs. 2 and 3.

This head structure has a nozzle 30 for the admission of fuel, a port 3|for the admission of air or oxygen to mix with the fuel and form acombustible mixture, and an exhaust port 32, for the discharge of theproducts of combustion. The fuel may be a light hydro-carbon, such asgasoline, a heavy hydro-carbon or fuel oil such as used in Dieselengines, or it may be a finely divided solid, such as powdered coal, orflour. Nozzle 30 may be of a type frequently'used in Diesel engines, andincludes a spray head 33 havirig a plurality of small radially extendingports 34, which .serve-to distribute the fuel which is admitted to Theneedle valve 38 is maintained in closed position by a compression spring4I, which acts against a collar 42 suitably secured to the stem of valve33, means being provided to unseat the valve against the spring atdesired intervals to admit a charge of fuel to the combustion space.Means may be provided to accurately determine the extent and duration ofthis opening, whereby the amount of fuel admitted may be metered.

The air port 8| is connected by a tube 45 to a source of air or oxygen46, located at the top of the well and maintained under suitablepressure,

This tube .is connected to valve housing 41 mounted on head 29 and incommunication with port 3I. A valve 48 in the housing serves tointerrupt communication between tube 45 and port 3|, means beingprovided to open it at proper intervals to admit the desired quantity ofoxygen to combustion chamber 28.

Since the pressure of the air or oxygen may be of the order of 300-500pounds per square inch, and it is desirable to maintain valve 48 closedwithout the use of an excessively strong spring, a balanced poppet valveis used. This valve has upper and lower closure members 49 and 50respectively, each cooperatingV with an appropriate seat in valve cage41 and Joined together by a hollow shank 5I. A valve stem 52 extendsthrough the shank and provides means for seating or unseating the valve,pins 53 and 54 extending through the stem to prevent relative axialmovement between the stem and the valve. Air or fluid under pressurebeing admitted to the cage 41 between the seats, it will be evident thatthe only force tending to unseat the valve will be the effect of thispressure on the difference in areas between the closures 49 and 50. Thusa moderately strong spring 55 confined between a collar 56 on stem 52and the top of cage 41 will be sufficient to keep the valve on its seatand closed against this pressure. Conversely, pressure from thecombustion space acting on valve 48 through port 3| is effective on boththe upper and lower closure members through the 'hollow shank 50, butsince the area of the lower valve member exceeds that of the uppermember, this pressure will act to seat the valve. Thus there is nodanger of the explosive force within chamber 28 unseating the valve. Aswith the fuel valve, means to open the valve at appropriate intervalsagainst spring 49, are provided. As a precaution against the possibilityof any of the products of the combustion reaching the fuel and oxygentanks 40 and 46, supply tubes 39 and 45 may include check valves 59 and60 respectively arranged to permit passage of fluids to the combustionspace, but to check reverse flow.

By appropriate timing of the opening and closing of valves 38 and 48, aproper combustible or explosive mixture may be formed in chamber 28.

This mixture may then be ignited by energizing a spark plug 6| ofconventional type.

The exhaust port 32 is controlled by a valve 64. Since the pressureWithin the combustion chamber at the time of release may be severalhundred pounds per square inch and it is desirable to have the valve 64open with the exertion of a comparatively small force, the valve 64 isalso a balanced poppet valve, similar to valve 48. It is maintainednormally closed by a compression spring 65 acting on stem 66. Since thevalve seats in an upward direction and the area of the lower valvemember 61 exceeds that of the upper valve member 68, it will be clearthat pressure in chamber 28 has no tendency to unseat the valve. unseatthe valve needs only to exceed the force exerted by spring 65 togetherwith that caused by the pressure within chamber 28 acting'on the excessarea of valve member 61 over valve member 68. An exhaust pipe or conduitmay lead the exhaust gases to the top of the well.

The arrangement is such that the admission of fuel through conduit 39and oxygen through conduit 45, the ignition of the resulting combustiblemixture by means of spark plug 6I and the venting of the products ofcombustion through conduit 10, are obtained in cyclic order, andrepeated as desired. For this purpose, some form of operating mechanismis required for the several valves and the spark plug.

Thus, in Figs. 1, 2, and 3, electro-magnetic means are shownforoperating the valves, including a motor driven switching system. Thusfor example, a rotary shaft is shown as adapted to be driven throughgearing 16 by an electric motor 11, energized from a source.of current18. The motor can have its speed varied as desired, as by the aid of avariable resistance 19.

The shaft 15 is arranged to carry contact making and breaking cams 80,8|, 82 and 03, respectively cooperating with the contact nger mechanisms84, 85, 86 and 81.

Contact mechanism 86 is shown as controlling the energization ofelectromagnet 90 for actuating the fuel valve 38, while contactmechanism 85 controls the energization of electro-magnet 9| foractuating the air valve 48. By appropriate design of the cams operatingthese contact mechanisms, these Valves are maintained open to give amixture of the desired proportions, after which the contacts are allowedto separate and the Valves close. Soon after this, rotation of shaft 15causes cam 83 to close contacts 81 which control the energization ofspark plug 6|. This Also, that the force necessary to Lil) energizationmay be accomplished by means of a conventional high tension coilarrangement 88. Further rotation of shaft 15 causes cam 80 to closecontacts 84 and energize electro-magnet 92, which opens exhaust valve64. The cams and 83 are so designed that the exhaust valve is not openeduntil suicient time has elapsed after ignition for the expansion of theburning mixture to accomplish its work, as will be explained later.Also, the exhaust valve will be maintained open a suiiicient period topermit the escape of the burnt gases,'after which it closes and thecycle is repeated.

By appropriate design of the cams 80, 8| 82 and 83, and appropriateangular arrangement thereof, the succession of acts required to fill thecombustion chamber 28 with fuel, to explode it, and to vent thecombustion chamber, may be readily secured.

The mode of operation of the pumping system as illustrated in Figs. 1, 2and 3, may now be set forth. Oil or other liquid enters past the intakevalve I5 into the branch chamber formed by conduit 2|. When this chamberis filled, the float valve closure 24 is seated. A gaseous or vaporousfuel mixture is passed through valves 38 and 48 into the combustionchamber 28, after which the charge is ignited or exploded by the sparkplug 6I, creating a high pressure in the combustion chamber 20. Thishigh pressure depresses the valve closure 24 and operates upon theliquid in conduit 2|, forcing it out of the branch and upwardly past thecheck valve structure 4. Thereafter the exhaust valve 64 is opened andnew liquid is permitted to rise into the conduit 2|, with a repetitionof this cycle. By varying the speed of the motor 11, the frequency ofthe pumping pulses may be correspondingly regulated.

'I'he operation of the valves may be performed mechanically, ifpreferred. Thus, in Figs. 4 to 11, a pump structure which is the same asthat of Fig. 1 is illustrated, the head 29 however including mechanicalmeans, generally indicated by 95, for operating the valves.

As shown, this mechanism includes a pair of vertical members 96 securedon opposite sides of head 29 in any convenient way. The upper and lowerends of opposite members are brought together to form guides 91 and 98,for a rod or valve actuating member 99 carrying cams I 00, IOI, and |02.As best shown in Figs. 5 and 8, a pin. |03 extends between members 96and serves to rotatably support rocker arms |04, |05 and |06. Rocker arm|04 has a horizontal arm |01 arranged to operate the exhaust valve |08.This valve may be a balanced poppet valve such as valve 64 of the firstform, and is otherwise the same except that the electromagnet isomitted. The other arm IIO of rocker arm |04 carries a roller III at itsouter end. The arrangement is such that when rod 99 is moved upward, cam|00 rides under roller I I I and turns the rocker arm clockwise aboutits supporting pin |03. Thus arm |01 presses the exhaust valvedownwardly oi its seat and opens it. Another arm |I2 is carried by a pinI I3 spaced above pin |03. This arm has a roller I I4 to cooperate withcam IOI. Arm |I2 is connected to rocker arm |05 by a pivoted link II5,so that when it is swung by cam |0I it will open fuel valve II6.- Asimilar arrangement includingr an arm |I1 adapted to be swung about pinI I0 and connected to rocker arm |06 by link H9 causes the air valve |20to be actuated by cam |02.- Air valve |20 as well as fuel valve ||6 aresubstantially identical with the corresponding valves in the first form,except that the electro-magnets are A omitted.

In Figs. 4 and 5, rod 99 is shown in its lowest position, and as it ismoved upward, cam will ride under roller opening exhaust valve |00 andmaintaining it open until the continued upward movement of the rod movesthe cam beyond the roller, when the exhaust valve will be closed by itsspring. Continued upward movement of the rod will cause cams |0| and |02to open the fuel and oxygen valves by the described mechanism, it beingunderstood that these cams are so arranged as to allow a properexplosive mixture to be formed in the combustion space, when thecontinued movement of the rod allows the valves to close. Immediatelyafter this, the mixture is fired by energizing the spark plug 6| bymechanism to be presently described, and the rod 99 is returned to itsinitial position without operating the valves.

To enable the rod to move downwardly without aiecting the valves, thecams |00, |0| and |02 are formed on one side only of rod 99, asindicated in Fig. 8; thus if the rod is rotated through a suitable angleabout its axis, the cams will joined by an inclined groove I3|, thelower ends of grooves |21 and 28 being joined by a similar inclinedgroove |32.

With the rod in its lowest position, as illustrated, pin is at the lowend of groove |32 and alined with groove |21, and pin |29 is alined withgroove |26. As the rod moves upward pin |30 slides in groove |21, andbefore it passes out of this groove pin |29 enters groove |26. Thus rod99 is prevented from turning and the cams are maintained in position tooperate the valves. As rod 99 approaches the upper end of its movement,and after the cams have each passed their respective rocker arm, pin |29enters inclined ,groove |3|, the upward movement continuing until pin|29 enters groove |25. This rotates rod 99 suiiiciently to swing thecams out of alinement with the rocker arm. The rod then moves downward,pin 29 in groove |25 and later, pin |30 in groove |28 serving tomaintain the rod against rotation. As the rod nears the lower end of itsstroke, and when each cam is below its cooperating roller, pin |30enters inclined groove |32, further downward movement serving to rotatethe rod until pin |30 is again alined with groove |21 and the cams arealined with their respective rollers.

In order to reciprocate rod 99, it may be joined by a swivel connection|35 to a string of rods vary the motor speed and consequently the speedof the pumping cycles. A cam and contact mechanism |42, in conjunctionwith the usual high tension coil (not shown) may be provided to energizethe spark plug, similar to that in the rst form. A

Brief consideration will show that the shape and spacing of cams |00,|0| and |02 taken together with the rate of movement of rod 99 determinethe timing in the cycle. Thus, this timing may be varied by alteringthis shape and spacing. Or it .may be varied by altering the rate oimovement of the rod, which can readily be done by changing theconfiguration of the cam |38.

The flow of liquid upwardly in the discharge conduit can be made moreuniform by the provision of a plurality of pumping mechanisms. Thus, inFig. 12 pumping units |50, |5| and |52 are shown connected to a commondischarge pipe |53 and submerged in the well liquid |54. The lowest unit|50 may be identical with that shown in Fig. 1, while the other units|5| and |52 differ only in the arrangement of the inlet which is asshown in Fig. 13. By this arrangement, each unit has an independentinlet.

The units may be controlled in a manner similar to that illustrated inFig. 1 or Fig. 4, but the arrangement must be such that the pumpingpulses are not simultaneous. Each unit operates independently to forceliquid upwardly through the discharge pipe, and by arranging that thepulses do not occur simultaneously, the discharge of iuid is moreuniform in quantity.

If desired, the pump units may be arranged in tandem to produce amultiple lift effect. In this case, additional check valves may have tobe used.

In the form of the invention illustrated in Fig. 14, the intake valve I5and the outlet valve 4 are arranged as before on opposite sides of theelbow 5. However, in this case the float valve structure in the conduit|60 is omitted, the well liquid simply rising sufficiently to compresswhat is left of the products of combustion in the chamber formed byconduit |60. After a fresh explc'sive mixture is admitted throughconduits 39 and 45, controlled by valves as in the other forms, anexplosion may be produced by the aid of the spark plug 6| as before. Thelarge gas pressure thus produced urges the liquid past the valvestructure 4, and most of the products of ccmbustion also pass upwardlythrough the conduit I to escape at the top of the well. Upon thecompletion of the combustion and the pumping act, the liquid may againrise, partially to fill the chamber formed by conduit |60. The cycle maythen be repeated as often as desired. By proper proportioning of thevolume of the chamber formed by conduit |60, itis possible to obviatethe exhaust line with its exhaust valve. The contraction of the hotgases formed as a result of the combustion due to cooling andcondensation, permits reloading of the combustion chamber with asuiiiciently large charge to produce the desired effect.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination, a conduit, means forming a branch from the conduit,thereby dividing the conduit into two portions where the branch occurs,a valve system ensuring that liquid may enter but one portion of theconduit, and that liquid may leave the branch only into the otherportion of the conduit means forming a combustion chamber incommunication with said branch, a float valve between the branch and thechambei', and means for igniting fuel in said chamber.

2. In a pump structure for liquids, means forming a liquid chamber,means for controlling the ber, means forming a combustion 'chamber incommunication with the liquid chamber, valve means for admitting fuelinto the combustion chamber, a rod supported for reciprocation with 5respect to the combustion chamber, a cam on said rod, a cam followerarranged to operate said valve means when engaged by the cam, means toreciprocate said rod, means to ignite the mixture, and means to controlthe ignition means cyclically 10 with respect to the operation of thevalve means.

GEORGE T. PFLEGER.

